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It might have been a shortened first day’s play in Abu Dhabi, but it didn’t stop Pakistan putting in a dominant day of cricket against the West Indies on a pitch offering little. Join The Roar for live scores of Day 2 from 5pm (AEDT).
Bad light meant six overs were lost at the end of Day 1 but it nearly doesn’t matter given how well Pakistan batted after winning the toss on a pitch that gave near nothing to the bowlers.
The West Indies shocked many in the first Test with their fight, at times being on top and never really out of the contest before eventually going down by just 56 runs in the dying overs.
With Younis Khan back in the side for the second Test, he led a recovery effort after what was a slow start with first Test triple centurion Azhar Ali and his opening partner Sami Aslam both being dismissed cheaply.
He joined with Asad Shafiq firstly, and then captain Misbah-ul-Haq as the pair batted all the way to stumps, Khan being knocked over by Kraigg Brathwaite on what turned out to be the last ball of the day for 127.
Nonetheless, along with Misbah who ended up on 90 not out they guided Pakistan to 4 for 304 with a partnership of 175 from 43 overs.
The West Indian quicks lacked penetration without the new ball, although Shannon Gabriel started things strongly with a couple of early wickets.
Early wickets will once again be the key today with the second new ball of the innings, and Gabriel along with captain Jason Holder are the key, but there is no question the tourists will also need more from leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo who went at over four runs per over in his 20 overs.
Day 2 Prediction
The real question for today surrounds exactly what the par score is on this wicket. Certainly, Pakistan haven’t hit what would be considered par yet, but anything over 400 given the West Indies have to bat last will probably do the job.
The second question that is to be answered surrounds whether the West Indies will be able to put on a similar performance with the bat as they did in the first Test, or if they will fall back into their struggles.
Nonetheless, Pakistan are in a good position and it’s hard to see them not improving.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of Day 2 in this second Test from 5pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to drop a comment in the section below if you’re following along.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde